Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has publicly supported Gabriel Martinelli following a controversial incident during their recent Premier League match against Liverpool. The incident occurred late in the game when Martinelli appeared to push an injured Conor Bradley, sparking anger among Liverpool players. Bradley, who left the Emirates Stadium on crutches with a knee support, sustained the injury near the touchline in stoppage time.
Martinelli's actions drew criticism, including from Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, who labeled him an "idiot". Roy Keane also criticized Martinelli. However, Arteta has defended the player's character, describing him as an "incredible, lovely guy" who "probably didn't realise what happened". Arteta stated that he would speak with Martinelli to understand the situation and expressed his hope that Bradley's injury was not severe.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot also offered a nuanced perspective on the incident. While expressing concern for Bradley's injury, Slot suggested that Martinelli's actions might have stemmed from frustration with time-wasting tactics in football. Slot stated that he believes Martinelli would not have acted that way had he known the extent of Bradley's injury.
Martinelli has since apologized for his actions, stating that he didn't realize the severity of Bradley's injury in the heat of the moment. He conveyed his apologies to Bradley directly and wished him a quick recovery via Instagram.
Despite the controversy, Arteta praised Martinelli's mentality, especially after the forward scored a hat-trick in Arsenal's 4-1 FA Cup victory against Portsmouth. Arteta emphasized the importance of a strong mentality for players at big clubs, highlighting Martinelli's ability to "talk on the pitch" and bounce back from difficult situations. He noted that Martinelli's work ethic and willingness to learn make him an outstanding player.
The Arsenal manager also acknowledged the challenges of managing a squad with high competition for places. He uses the term "finishers" instead of "substitutes" to emphasize the importance of players who come off the bench and impact the game. Liverpool later confirmed that Bradley would require surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
